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Editorial: How bikes and cars can share the road

Cedric Rose commutes by bicycle, seven miles from Spring Grove Village to downtown Cincinnati almost every day.

Enquirer editorial
11:32 a.m. EDT May 5, 2014

Cedric Rose rides southbound on the William P. Dooley bypass Friday morning during his regular bicycle commute from Spring Grove Village to downtown where he works at the Mercantile Library.
(Photo:
The Enquirer/Glenn Hartong
)

Like friendship and money, bicycles and cars don't mix especially well. And as Cincinnati's bike infrastructure grows, tensions between cyclists and drivers are on the rise, as evidenced by the fight over bike lanes on Central Parkway and Delta Avenue. With the city's bike-share program set to launch this summer, bikes and cars will be spending even more time near each other.

The new biking options are great for the city as they reduce road congestion and improve the quality of life. But since the issue's been in the spotlight, we've heard lots of complaints and questions about whether and how bikes can co-exist. They don't have to be enemies; understanding the rules can bridge the divide between people on two wheels and those on four. With a little respect, maybe we really can all get along – or at least avoid colliding with each other.

What does the law say about bikes?

Bikes are considered vehicles and are therefore subject to the same rules and privileges as cars. "The mantra we preach is same roads, same rules," says Steve Magas, an Anderson Township attorney who specializes in bike-related cases.

Ohio law says bikes must ride "as far to the right as practicable," but the meaning of practicable is open to interpretation. Magas says riding around where a car's right tire would be is safer than hugging the far right of the lane but still allows for cars to pass on the left in most cases. Ohio law also allows cars to cross a double-yellow line to pass slow-moving vehicles such as bikes and Amish buggies.

Why do some cyclists ride in the middle of traffic?

Many bike lanes are full of glass and accident debris, so they can be dangerous. Also some riders believe that riding in the middle of a lane makes drivers more aware of their presence. But for every cyclist who feels comfortable in a lane of traffic, there are dozens that don't want to mix with cars. That's why bike trails and lanes, especially protected lanes, make streets safer for everyone.

What should I do behind a bike in traffic?

In the city of Cincinnati you're required to keep three feet from a bike. Two other Ohio cities and 22 states have the same law, and three-feet legislation is pending in the Ohio Legislature. If you can safely pass the bike in an adjacent lane, do so. And if you're on a bike and can see that you're holding up a line of cars, show some courtesy and pull over to let them pass.

Is cycling safe?

There are nearly 2,000 bike crashes a year in Ohio and around 300,000 car crashes, with about 16 bike fatalities and 1,000 car fatalities in an average year. (Without knowing how many miles people ride bikes every year, though, it's impossible to compare the rates of crashes between the two modes.) About half of the bike crashes involve children, though most of the fatalities are adults. And more than half of the fatal bike crashes occur at night, even though few people ride after dark, which demonstrates the need for cyclists to use lighting and reflective gear to heighten visibility. A white headlight, red taillight and red rear reflectors are all required by law. Cyclists can't overdose on visibility accessories if they plan to ride at night.

Why don't some cyclists stop at stop signs and traffic lights?

Since they're subject to the same rules as cars, bikes that don't stop at traffic lights or stop signs are breaking the law. They're also giving law-abiding cyclists a terrible name. Drivers don't tend to notice the dozens of bikes that stop when they're supposed to, but everyone can tell you about the scofflaw on two wheels who blew through multiple red lights.

Cyclists can make everyone safer and improve their collective reputation by stopping every time they're supposed to.

Why don't bikes ride on the sidewalk?

In many places, including the city of Cincinnati, it's illegal for adults to ride bikes on the sidewalk. Car drivers can't see bikes on sidewalks and are more likely to hit them while turning, which makes every street and driveway a potential collision site. Some accident studies suggest that sidewalk riding has twice the accident rate of street riding.

Why can't bikes use bike trails?

Because most bike trails, while beautiful, won't get you to work or the grocery store. Bike trails are great for recreational riding but in many cases useless for transportation. That's one of the great divides in attitudes about bicycles: Some people seem them as purely a fun way to get some exercise, while other people want or need to use them to get from point A to point B. Until more offices are located along the Little Miami Scenic Trail or adjacent to the Lunken Airport Trail, people will need to ride on the street to reach their destinations.

What's with the funny shorts?

For people riding many miles, bike shorts are usually more comfortable because of their strategic padding. For people running errands they may be overkill, but generally people should wear what they find to be most comfortable.

How about the attitude?

"There's something about cycling that seems to tick off a certain portion of the driving population, which I don't understand because an Amish buggy in traffic doesn't tick them off," says bike attorney Magas. It's a good point, although Amish buggy drivers don't sport Spandex shorts, reflective glasses and bikes that cost as much as a used car.

Despite the militant attitude of some cyclists, though, they're generally interested in getting to their destination alive, and most of them understand it's not an equal fight on the road – which is why smart cyclists don't want it to be a fight at all. "No cyclist wants to tangle with a two-ton steel cage, because we lose every fight," Magas says. "I've handled more than 300 bike cases, and in none of them was the driver the one who was hurt." ■